Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-01-14
THE PRINCE OF WALES.


Extraordinary Social Power of the Heir
Representative to the English Throne.
But il is certain that the Prince OF
Wales holds q position in London So
c'ety that, so far as know, is not par
alleled in the case of any other royal
parsonage in Europe. The late French
Emperor Louis Napolean, and possibly
George w., when Prince Regent, pos
sessed the same social power, but l
doubt if even in those instances the in
hucnce that those potentates welded
was as Widespread and as potential as
that OF the successor. of the last-named
Prince The Prince of Wales is literally
and emphaiically the King OF English
society What he smiles upon is ac-
ceptad and what he frowns upon is re-
iccted His dominat on extends from
inc social world to that of the theaters.
The entertainment or the performer
that he honors with his patronage and
that OF his wife, may not, indeed, be
sure Of success. But the Withholding OF
that patronage most assuredly means
failure.
1t is the same in all other matters,
artistic or social, for with literary mat
ters his Highness ha'never been known
to meddle. Some years ago he paused
at picture exhibition before paint
ing by n lady hitherto comparatively
unknown to fame and praised it highly.
He afterward, think, bought the work
in question. The artist at once became
not only celebrated, but the rage. 1t
was NJ IS Elizabeth Thompson, now
Mrs. Butler, who had thus been waited
to fame and fortune by breath from
the lips Of royalty.
His Royal II ghness is undoubtedly
fond of American society, and do not
think that IL is an appropriate act for
Americans in general TO find fault with
him for SO doing. should rather say
that therein he shows his good taste.
And do these American critics UNDER
stand the reason for this partially? 1t
is very simple one and is readily re-
vealed. The truth ismerely this-Amer-
lean society is amusing. English socie-
ty, as a rule, is not. The severe rules
of caste that govern the latter exclude
much that is perfectly innocent and
proper and that adds largely to social
enjoyment For instance, it was long
time before the german, with its gayety
and animation, its picturesque figures
and frequent changes of partners, was
considered at all allowable in England,
think 1t Is good eeal frowned upon
in tho highest circles even yet. Then
English girls are taught to maintain a
deeorous silence in society and to do
nothing that can in amp way attract at
tention to them. American society
girls are accustomed to talk brightly
and amusingly. They are bred TO en-
tertain guests and to make themselves
agreeable from the hour they cease to
be children. Young English girls are
awed into stony reverence at the aspect
of royalty. The breath of our Republic
has put such spirit into the veins OF our
fair maidens that they are not to be
scared speechless by the good-natured
face OF tho heir TO tho Br.t .tish throne,
They talk to him agreoably and pleas
antly, as they do to all other gentlemen
that they meet Then, many Amer can
society ladies are endowed with some
special and carefully-cultivated talent,
either for music or recitation, or fol
telling amusing stories. And English
society eai erly greets such talents as
means Of amusement-LOnd0n Cor.
philadelphia Press.